Methods and Systems for Determining Performance Capacity of a Resource of a Networked Storage Environment

1. A machine implemented method, comprising: determining a workload mix by a processor, based on performance data associated with a resource used in a networked storage system for reading and writing data at a storage device in response to a plurality of requests, wherein the workload mix is determined by a service time in which the resource processes the plurality of requests of the workload mix, and a parameter indicating variability in the service time; categorizing the workload mix by the processor, using an index value indicating a utilization range of the resource in processing the workload mix; and determining by the processor, available performance capacity of the resource using the performance data for the categorized workload mix; wherein the available performance capacity is based on optimum utilization of the resource beyond which throughput gains for the workload mix is smaller than increase in latency, and utilization of the resource as indicated by the index value.

2. The machine implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the resource is a processor for a networking module that provides networking functionality in the networked storage system and a processor for a storage module that interfaces with the storage device for storing data.

3. The machine implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the resource is an aggregate that includes the storage device.

4. The machine implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the performance data includes current latency and utilization data, inter-arrival time and service time for workloads processed by the resource.

5. The machine implemented method of claim 1 , wherein in response to the performance data missing an index value, an index value of a neighboring workload mix with different service time but same indicia of variability is used to categorize the workload mix for determining the available performance capacity.

6. The machine implemented method of claim 1 , wherein to determine the available performance capacity, a model based technique is used to augment an incomplete latency versus utilization relationship, the model based technique using service times and inter-arrival times at the resource for processing the plurality of requests for the workload mix.

7. The machine implemented method of claim 1 , wherein a distribution coefficient is the parameter indicating variability of the service time.

8. A non-transitory, machine readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions for performing a method, comprising machine executable code which when executed by at least one machine, causes the machine to: determine a workload mix, based on performance data associated with a resource used in a networked storage system for reading and writing data at a storage device in response to a plurality of requests, wherein the workload mix is determined by a service time in which the resource processes the plurality of requests of the workload mix, and a parameter indicating variability in the service time; categorize the workload mix using an index value indicating a utilization range of the resource in processing the workload mix; and determine available performance capacity of the resource using the performance data for the categorized workload mix; wherein the available performance capacity is based on optimum utilization of the resource beyond which throughput gains for the workload mix is smaller than increase in latency, and utilization of the resource as indicated by the index value.

9. The non-transitory, storage medium of claim 8 , wherein the resource is a processor for a networking module that provides networking functionality in the networked storage system and a processor for a storage module that interfaces with the storage device for storing data.

10. The non-transitory, storage medium of claim 8 , wherein the resource is an aggregate that includes the storage device.

11. The non-transitory, storage medium of claim 8 , wherein the performance data includes current latency and utilization data, inter-arrival time and service time for workloads processed by the resource.

12. The non-transitory, storage medium of claim 8 , wherein in response to the performance data missing an index value, an index value of a neighboring workload mix with different service time but same indicia of variability is used to categorize the workload mix for determining the available performance capacity.

13. The non-transitory, storage medium of claim 8 , wherein to determine the available performance capacity, a model based technique is used to augment an incomplete latency versus utilization relationship, the model based technique using service times and inter-arrival times at the resource for processing the plurality of requests for the workload mix.

14. The non-transitory, storage medium of claim 8 , wherein a distribution coefficient is the parameter indicating variability of the service time.

15. A system comprising: a memory containing machine readable medium comprising machine executable code having stored thereon instructions; and a processor module coupled to the memory, the processor module executes the machine executable code to: determine a workload mix, based on performance data associated with a resource used in a networked storage system for reading and writing data at a storage device in response to a plurality of requests, wherein the workload mix is determined by a service time in which the resource processes the plurality of requests of the workload mix, and a parameter indicating variability in the service time; categorize the workload mix using an index value indicating a utilization range of the resource in processing the workload mix; and determine available performance capacity of the resource using the performance data for the categorized workload mix; wherein the available performance capacity is based on optimum utilization of the resource beyond which throughput gains for the workload mix is smaller than increase in latency, and utilization of the resource as indicated by the index value.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the resource is one of a processor for a networking module that provides networking functionality in the networked storage system, a processor for a storage module that interfaces with the storage device for storing data and an aggregate that includes the storage device.

17. The system of claim 15 , wherein the performance data includes current latency and utilization data, inter-arrival time and service time for workloads processed by the resource.

18. The system of claim 15 , wherein in response to the performance data missing an index value, an index value of a neighboring workload mix with different service time but same indicia of variability is used to categorize the workload mix for determining the available performance capacity.

19. The system of claim 15 , wherein to determine the available performance capacity, a model based technique is used to augment an incomplete latency versus utilization relationship, the model based technique using service times and inter-arrival times at the resource for processing the plurality of requests for the workload mix.

20. The system of claim 15 , wherein a distribution coefficient is the parameter indicating variability of the service time.